System for the early detection of fires covering large areas

摘要

In order to permit fire fighting in good time, manned observation towers are known which are disadvantageously labour intensive. The novel system permits an extended fire to be detected and located through the detection of raised temperatures. Arranged on masts (1) standing at prescribed distances from one another are rotating infrared sensors (4) which scan an area at risk of fire and determine the position of a fire over an extended area by means of their elevation angles ( beta ), which represent one-dimensional spatial resolutions, and the azimuth angle range ( alpha ), which is determined by the angular positions of the infrared sensors (4). A central evaluation station is provided for receiving and for evaluating information signals corresponding to the measurement results of the infrared sensors (4). Continuously rotating infrared sensors (4) can be used. It is also possible for the elevation angles ( beta ) to change continuously during the rotation of the infrared sensors (4) up to a maximum value, with the result that the fields of view of the infrared sensors scan the monitoring areas along a spiral track. The system is particularly suitable for detecting forest fires. IMAGE